Method and apparatus for printing and/or processing webs of material



Sept. 1, 1964 PROCESSING WEBS Filed July 9, 1963 J. B FULK METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR OF MATERIAL 1O Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.Jnmas 1B. FULK FITTORNEYJ p 1964 .1. B. FULK 3,147,006

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR PROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIALFiled July 9, 1963 1o Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR. Jnmcs :B. Fuu

Tm, 35614 v 75212 J. B FULK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/ORSept. 1, 1964 PROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIAL l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July9, 1963 INVENTOR James B. FULK Sept. 1, 4 J. B. FULK 3,147,006

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR PROCESSING WEBS 0F MATERIALFiledJuly 9, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 45 me 363 42 o 7 7 1 7 INVENTOR Jams3. FuLK H TTOR NEYS J. B. FULK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/ORPROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIAL Sept. 1, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July9, 1963 Jams B. FULK we, 2a

1 7 c HTTORNEYS Sept. 1, 1964 J. B. FULK METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPRINTING AND/0R PROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIAL 1O Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July9, 1963 5 mM T W F q, T v T m H n w M I n J W Y B o 0 v Sept. 1, 1964Filed July 9, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. James 15. F 01.x

T TO nu eys Sept. 1, 1964 J. B. FULK 3,147,006

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR PROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIALFiled July 9, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. JRMEs .3. FULK Sept. 1,1964 J. B. FULK 3,147,006

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR PROCESSING WEBS OF MATERIALFiled July 9. 1963 1o Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. JRMEs LB. Fuu

nrromveyj Sept. 1, 1964 J. B. FULK 3,147,006

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND/OR PROCESSING WEB-S OF MATERIALFiled July 9, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 1O 3a 119 /2/ /7s ms 17/ 17a 73 17a5; [73

I7 I I United States Patent 3,147,006 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTINGAND/0R PRGfIESElENG WEBS 0F MATERIAL James B. Fulk, 18309 LexingtonDrive, Monte Serene, Calif. Filed July 9, 1963, Ser. No. 293,673 16(Ilaims. cl. 270-18) This invention relates to a method and apparatusfor printing or processing a plurality of webs of paper which areintended for use as business forms.

In the art of manufacturing continuous multiple part business forms, themost difficult problem to overcome is that of combining webs of variouskinds of material having different weights, widths and surfacecharacteristics into continuous strips of predetermined equal lengthsand exact register. It is necessary not only that the webs be maintainedin a predetermined equal length, but that the transfer webs (carbon)with which the webs are interleaved must also be of equal length and inexact register. Thus, in the manufacture of single set forms, thevarious webs must be in exact register and equal lengths to progressthrough the presses and collators properly. Again, in the manufacture oftabulating continuous business forms, it is not only imperative tomaintain such registration and equal length during the manufacturingprocess, but, due to the fact that the forms are processed by theultimate user in long continuous strips, the lengths are of even greaterimportance, for the reason that a variation of even one of the webs inthe set will cause the forms to fail in operation on the tabulatingprinter, or on other machines utilizing the continuous forms. A webwhich is shorter or longer than it is supposed to be will causemal-feeding of the tabulating printer or typewriter thus rendering theproduct worthless.

Heretofore, in the operation of a multiple web rotary printing press,the practice has been to feed the paper to the printing and punchingcylinders in a taut condition at the speed which hopefully will resultin exact press circumference length. In an effort to accomplish thisresult the feeding or metering rolls are timed to the presscircumference length closely, and various mechanisms are provided toalter the speed of the rolls to compensate for variables in an attemptto keep the paper feeding in perfect lengths. Thus, the presses areequipped with various feed rollers along the path of the webs throughthe press to maintain the paper in a proper position, and to move thewebs through the machine to the folder or cut-off or rewind. There arequite a number of factors which cause variation in the relative speed atwhich the paper passes through the press, and such factors, with theirvariances, cause the relationship between the exact circumferentialspeed of the press and the speed of the paper to differ. Thus, althoughmechanically the surface speed of the plates and punch units on therotary cylinders and the draw rolls of the press are exactly proper andmatching, nevertheless the actual amount (lengths) of material fed intoand drawn out of the press does not exactly match the repeat lengths ofthe press revolutions. For example, revolutions of a 22 inch cylindershould deliver exactly 220 inches of material but, because of thevariables existing in present methods, the paper will leave the press as220-plus inches or 220-minus inches.

Even though adjustments are made at the beginning of a roll to the feedrollers, tensioning devices, etc. so that the relative speed is correct,nevertheless the variable factors aforesaid start affecting the webs assoon as the run is under way. Some of the variables are the thickness ofthe webs of material, the widths of the webs, the surfacecharacteristics of the material, the original size and constant changein the diameter supply roll, and the 3,l47,ll06 Patented Sept. 1,, 1964change in speed of the press itself. Any or all of such factors cancause a change in the relationship of the web and the press, therebyresulting in changes of register of the printing and punching, as wellas the length of the webs. It is common practice to check the lengths onmeasured distances very frequently in an effort to compensate fordifferences, and then to pull or push the web and to apply tension andstrain in an effort to correct the condition. In some instances,stroboscopes are utilized in an effort to observe the register and toattempt to make adjustments for variations in length during a press run.

Heretofore, another problem has been the maintenance of proper widthwiseadjustment to a moving web, particularly Where the adjustment had to bemade at a point remote from the printing couple and adjacent the supplyroll, or at an intermediate point between the roll and the press.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor controlling the web, or webs, of paper and transfer material, intoand through a machine for manufacturing forms, so as to eliminate thedifficulties previously described. Thus, in the case of a single web,for example, an object of the invention is to have the web leave thepress folded or rewound in exact register and in perfect predeterminedlengths so that when it is combined with other webs which have been runby means of the method of the present invention, all will possess thesame length and be in exact register.

It is a further object of the invention to enable a plurality of webs tobe run in one operation through the machine, and to obtain printedparts, or transfer (carbon) webs, which are of predetermined equallength and in exact register with each other.

A further object of the present invention is to obtain the aforesaidequality of length and exactness of register, without the necessity fortension controlling devices, such as brakes, variable speed drive rolls,and other expedients, and without the necessity for mechanism fordetecting an error and then automatically initiating the actuation of atensioning or slackening equipment, in order to correct the error whilethe press is in operation.

An additional object of the present invention is to maintain theexactness of length and register aforesaid, regardless of the speed atwhich the press is operated, up to the maximum speed for which the pressis designed. In this connection my invention contemplates a continuousoperation of the press, without the necessity for any checking, asaforesaid, of paper lengths and register during the operation of thepress.

Still another object of the invention is to maintain proper widthwiseadjustment so as to solve the problem which has heretofore existed, asstated aforesaid, and which has been difficult to control.

Briefly, the foregoing objects are accomplished by pulling the web, or aplurality of them between rotary printing or processing members, bymeans of force exerted in a plane on the discharge side of the members,and by arranging to have the web or webs approach the printing orprocessing units from a slack web in the form of a festoon, or freefalling loop. A slight amount of brush pressure, which is constant, isexerted on the web at the end of the free falling loop so that theprinting or processing operation is accomplished by members which arenot utilized for feeding the web at the instant of performing operationsthereon. In the preferred arrangement, the pulling force is exerted in aplane by pins which physically engage holes punched in the web, or webs,thereby precluding slippage and maintaining constant travel, regardlessof variable factors in the thickness of the webs or surfacecharacteristics thereof. The pulling speed is timed exactly with theprinting, punching and other processing units. The brush which engagesthe paper after the free loop or festoon is formed, keeps the Web in theguide collars and exerts a constant pressure which overcomes andinvalidates the tendency of the cylinder and plate pressures to feed theweb during its passage through the printing unit. Moreover, the pullingof the Web on a plane by the engagement of pins in holes, which arepunched in the web while the web is passing through the machine,controls the linear footage of material exactly. The use of the festoonin conjunction with the brush pressure divorces the movement of thesupply roll from the printing or processing unit, thus enabling thepress to perform its operation without incurring any variable inherentin the withdrawal of the paper from a supply roll, or in the passage ofthe web over the arc of the operating cylinders. By pulling the web orwebs in a plane, which is mechanically fixed at the exact speedrequired, and by mechanically engaging and exerting the pulling forceafter the printing or processing operation has been accomplished,eliminates slippage resulting from the use of drive wheels andcylinders.

The present invention also solves the problem of widthwise adjustment byutilizing two arms which engage the side edges of the web and areadjustable with relation to each other, and which engage the webimmediately preceding the entry of it into the printing or processingcouple. By working with a slack web in the form of a festoon andlocating the guiding arms at the discharge end of the festoon andimmediately preceding the entry of the web into the printing orprocessing couple, the widthwise control is adequately maintained,thereby resulting in a substantial reduction in waste material.

Referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a part of the machine shown in FIG. 1 buton a scale larger than that of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are vertical sections taken on planes indicated by thelines 3-3 and 44 respectively in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the driving connections for some ofthe units on the machine;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the apparatus utilized for exerting apulling force in a plane on the webs;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the equipment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation as viewed along the line 88 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an end elevation as viewed along the line 99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a view taken on a plane indicated by the line 1010 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 1111 in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 1212 in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view along the line 13-13 of FIG. 4 andillustrating the side guide bars;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of webs removed from the press;

FIG. 15 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale taken longitudinallythrough the pinned belt and webs;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail end view of the pinned belt, and

FIG. 17 is a section taken on the line 17-17 in FIG. 13.

The present invention is intended for use on either single or multiplewebs. As applied to single webs it is intended for use with or withoutprinting, and with a line of holes either along one or both sides of theweb. As applied to a multiple web, it is intended for use either with orwithout printing, and with marginal holes along either one or both sidesof the web. Additionally, the invention is intended, as applied tomultiple webs, for use with or without carbon. The invention is capableof use on as many multiple part forms as are desired for commercial usebut, for purposes of illustration, and within the limits of thedrawings, I have shown in FIG. 1 two paper webs indicated at A and B,respectively, as being withdrawn from rolls A-1 and B1 which may bejournaled at A-2 and B-2 respectively upon a frame 10. It is to beunderstood, however, that my invention is capable of use with a largernumber of webs, and that additional supply rolls and printing units maybe added, as desired.

Each web is passed through a withdrawing apparatus, indicated in general(FIG. 1) at 11, for web A, and at 12 for web B. The web A then falls ina festoon indicated at A-3 while the web B falls in a festoon indicatedat B-3, from which each passes into a widthwise guiding apparatusindicated in general at 13 and 14 respectively, and thence into aprinting press indicated in general at 15 and 16 respectively.

The present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus forcontrolling the movement of one or more webs continuously through arotary printing or processing unit, while holding the web or webs inexact lengths and in exact register. Additionally, the inventioncontemplates such accomplishment, without the need for checking anobservation of length or register, and without making either manual orautomatic adjustments to compensate for variations in length orregister.

The foregoing is accomplished by withdrawing the webs from supply rollsand by allowing the webs to fall in a loop or festoon before performingthe printing or processing operation. Thus, the printing or processingunit is not required to exert force to withdraw any web from a supplyroll. The invention further contemplates the performance of the printingor processing operation upon the web, either singly, or in multiple,while a pulling force is exerted upon the web only after it has passedthrough the printing or processing couple. Such pulling force is exertedin a plane.

The preferred form of pulling force illustrated comprises the punchingof a row of holes along either one or both marginal edges of the web orwebs after it has left the printing or processing unit, and thenimmediately engaging some of such holes and exerting force against thewalls thereof to pull the web, or webs, in a plane, and thereby hold it,or them, against slippage during the performance of any subsequentoperation such as perforating, numbering, binding, or file holepunching. Thus, the printing or processing unit performs no functionexcept to imprint or process the web. The web pulling unit is indicatedas being a pinned belt 18 which is mounted within a frame 20, and issuitably carried by an endless chain 69, which is driven in timedrelationship to the web withdrawal rolls and the printing couples.

Each web withdrawal unit is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 9 and 10 ascomprising a drive roll 21 which is mounted on the shaft 22 and isjournaled in the front and back plates 23 and 24 respectively of thepress frame 19. Pressure rolls 25 and 26 are adapted to engage the webas it passes over the roll 21 and to exert the desired degree ofpressure thereagainst to assure a uniform withdrawal of the web from thesupply roll. As shown, the pressure rolls may be journaled in arms 27and 28 respectively, the latter of which are mounted on a cross bar 29,supported for angular adjustment in the frame plates 23 and 24respectively. The pressure rolls may be suitably adjusted and thenlooked in any desirable position, as by a hand clamp 30. The drive forthe roll 21 is obtained through suitable gearing and chain connectionsby an electric motor M, in timed relationship to the pulling andprinting or processing equipment, as will be hereinafter set forth.

In FIG. 4, the web A-3 falls in a festoon, then extends upwardly past afirst guide bar 31, thence over a second guide bar 32, and around athird guide bar or tube 33, at which point drag pressure may be exertedagainst the web by means of a brush 34 which is mounted for angularadjustment upon a cross bar 35. If longitudinally extending perforationsare desired in the web, they may be 1 5 applied thereto by a perforatingroll 36, as the web passes over an anvil roll 37.

From the perforator 36 the web passes downwardly around the impressionroll 40 of a printing couple, the blanket roll of which is indicated at41. The impression roll is journaled at 42 in a suitable printing coupleframe indicated at 38 in FIG. 4, while the blanket roll 41 is mounted ona shaft 43, which is also journaled in the printing couple frame. Thecustomary plate cylinder is indicated at 44 as being journaled on shaft45.

After the web leaves the impression r-oll 4t), it travels to the left,as viewed in FIG. 4 and passes along the line indicated at 50 and intothe pulling unit. In FIG. 3 the pulling unit is shown as an endlesspinned belt 18, which is driven by suitable driving connections to themotor M, as will hereinafter be more fully described. The pins on thebelt project outwardly therefrom for engagement with holes that arepunched in the web after it has left the printing couple and in closeproximity thereto. A suit-able punching unit includes a roll 51 havinguniformly spaced punches or male dies 52 therein and a roll 53 havingcoacting openings or female dies 54 therein. It is understood that theopenings 54 are in registration with the punches 52 so as to form a rowof holes in the paper as it passes therebetween. The roll 51 is mountedon shaft 55, while the roll 53 is mounted on shaft 56, each of which isjournaled for rotation in the front and back plates 57 and 58 of theframe 20. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the webs are pulled in a plane whichis at a right angle to the axis of the coacting dies.

In FIG. 2 I have shown one punch roll 51 for punching one row of holesalong one edge of a web of paper and an additional punch 51a alsoaflixed to the shaft 55 for punching a second row of holes along theopposite edge of the paper web. It is to be understood that there is adie roll also affixed .to the shaft 56 for coacting with the secondpunch roll 51a. The rolls may be axially adjustable along theirrespective shafts to accommodate various widths of paper webs.

To actuate and maintain movement of a web through the printing couple, apulling force may be exerted upon the web by means of pins 59 (FIG. 15)which project outwardly from the endless belt 18. The pins engageopenings 61, which are made in the webs by the coacting punch and dierolls. Thus, in FIG. 15 two webs A and B are shown with an interleavedcarbon web C, with the forward edge 62 of each pin pushing against theforward edge of the hole in each web. Where a single row of holes isdesired along one edge, then only one belt 18 need be used for pullingthe webs. Where, however, a row of holes is desired along oppositeedges, then two such belts 18 are utilized, one for each row of holes.

In FIG. 6, the chain 60 for the belt 18 is shown as being mounted onupper end sprockets 63 and 64 and on lower sprockets 65 and 66,respectively. To take up any slack in the chain, I have shown an idlersprocket 67 which may be mounted on a shaft 68, which is shown as beingjournaled in a plate 69, one end of which is pivotally mounted at 70 toone of the frame plates. A slot 71 in the plate 69 enables the plate tobe swung about the pivot 70 for taking up any slack in the chain. Theplate, in turn, may be locked in any desired position by means of aclamping bolt indicated in general at 72. Suitable guide sprockets 73and 74 engage the upper reach of the chain and cooperate with thesprockets 63 and 64 to support it in a plane. It is to be understoodthat the web 511 bridges the gap between the guide sprockets 73 and 74,but that the pins re-engage holes in the web as the chain passes overthe guide sprockets 74 and moves to the left, as shown by the arrow 75in FIG. 6.

To assist in holding the web or webs upon the pins of the belt 18reference may be had to FIGS. 6 and 8 which illustrate a bar 80 which issupported above the line of movement of the webs and is provided with achannelshaped recess 81 through which the pins may pass when the bar islowered to contact the webs. In FIG. 8 the bar is shown in raisedposition but it is adapted to be swung downwardly after the webs havebeen placed over the pins on the belt. For accomplishing such purposethe bar is shown as being supported by two links 32 and 83 (FIG. 6),each of which is pivotally connected as at 84 and 85 respectively to thebar 30 and each of which is pivotally connected as at 86 and 37respectively to the frame. A handle 38 attached to the bar facilitatesmovement of it from the upper full line position of the links shown inFIG. 6 to the lower dotted line position 32a and 83a respectively.

In FIG. 1 I have indicated various units for processing the web or websafter passage through the line hole punching unit. Such operatingstructures may comprise a numbering unit 90, a file hole punching unit91, a longitudinal perforating unit 92, a crimp locking unit 93, a crossperforating or cut-off unit 94, a folder 95, and a delivery belt 96. Ifdesired, a second pinned belt 97 may be disposed between the crossperforator and the folder and may be driven in timed relation to thebelt 18, thereby maintaining contact with the webs until the time of thefinal operation thereon.

Where it is desired to use an interleaved carbon, then provision is made(FIG. 4) for supporting a roll of carbon paper 100 on a shaft 101 whichis journaled in the press frame. A friction roll 102 bears against theupper portion of the carbon roll and drives it so as to remove the webtherefrom. The web falls in a loop, as indicated at 103, and then passesupwardly to the right, as shown in FIG. 4, around a guide bar 104 thencevertically around a guide roller 165, thence over a guide bar 106 andthence to the left along the paper line 50. The friction roller 102 isdriven in timed relation to the other operating mechanism, so as tomaintain the loop in the carbon web while the press is in operation.

To rotate the various shafts for the web withdrawal, the printing, thepunching and the pulling operations, I have shown an electric motor Mwhich is connected in any suitable manner to the various units foreffecting a positive driving connection and thus assuring a timedrelationship in the operation thereof. Thus, in FIG. 2 the motor M maybe connected by a belt 110 to a driven pulley 111, which is fixed to aline shaft 112 at the rear of the press. The line shaft has varioustake-off points, such as 113, 114, 115 and 116, eachof which may includea gear box for transmitting power to the respective driven units.Suitable spaced flexible couplings 117 provide a universal joint type ofmovement and assure alignment of the various operating sections of theline shaft.

Any conventional form of printing unit or inking unit and/or color unit,may be utilized in carrying out the present invention. The printing unitshown is merely illustrative of one form of operation which may beperformed upon the web. In FIG. 2 the drive for such unit is indicatedin general at 120, as embodying suitable ininterconnected gears andchain drives for eflecting a desired speed of rotation of the impressionroll 40 and of the coacting blanket roll and plate cylinder.

The drive for the roll 21 may be taken from the unit 120 as by means ofa sprocket chain 121 (FIGS. 4 and 5), which is driven by a sprocket onshaft 122, the latter of which is directly geared to the shaft 112. Thechain 121 may drive a sprocket wheel 123, which is mounted on shaft 124.A second sprocket wheel 125, also mounted on shaft 124, drives a chain126, the latter of which drives a sprocket 127 on shaft 128. The shaft128 is geared to the shaft 22 and the tension on the chain 126 isadjustably controlled by means of an idler sprocket 129, which issupported on a bell crank 130, the latter of which is pivoted at 131 tothe frame and to a manually adjustable rod 132.

To actuate the carbon drive roll 102, I have shown a pulley 135 on theshaft 124, which carries a belt 136 (FIGS. and 12). The belt drives apulley 137 on shaft 138 the latter of which carries a sprocket 139. Achain 140 passes around the sprocket 139 to drive a sprocket 141 onshaft 142, the latter of which carries the friction drive roll 102. Thedriving roll shaft is supported on a bracket which is in the form of ayoke designated 143 and is pivoted on the shaft 138. Thus the drivingroll can follow down by gravity and remain in contact with the surfaceof the carbon roll. There may be a springloaded take-up on the belt 136,which is shown in general (FIG. 11) as a pulley 144 on a pin 145, thelatter of which is carried in an arm 146 of a spring-loaded bracketwhich is pivoted at 147 to the frame.

The drive for the punch and die roll shafts 55 and 56 respectively maybest be illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 wherein a shaft 150 driven bythe gear unit 115 carries a gear 151, which is connected by suitablegearing, as indicated in general at 152, to drive the shafts 55 and 56in unison. As illustrated, the numbering unit 90 may be suitablyoperated by gearing, indicated in general at 153, while the file holepunch, indicated at 91, may likewise be driven from suitable gearing,indicated in general at 154. Such last mentioned gearing may be directlyconnected to the gear 151.

The driving arrangement for the additional units shown on FIGS. 1, 3 and5 may embody gearing arrangements similar to those described. Thus, forexample, the gearing, indicated in general at in FIG. 2, may be operatedby the gear box unit 114 for actuating the longitudinal perforator 92,the drive shaft 156 for the endless chain 60 and its associated pinnedbelt 18, and the crimp lock 93. Similarly, the take-off shaft 157 fromthe gear box 113 may be suitably geared to drive the cross perforator94. Additional take-off drives (not shown) may be utilized from anextension of the shaft 112, to

the left as viewed in FIG. 2, for driving the folder 95 (FIG. 1), thedelivery belt 96 and the auxiliary pinned belt 97. It is to beunderstood that all of such units are operated in timed relationship soas to enable all operations to be performed while the webs are moving6011- I tinuously through the machine. Thus, the line shaft 112 would beextended to accommodate any desired number of printing units, each withits own web withdrawal unit, and carbon supply roll, and each additionalprinting unit would have its own driving connections, as illustrated anddescribed in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 16 I have illustrated, in greater detail, the construction ofthe pinned belt which is used for pulling the forms through the machine.In the form illustrated the endless chain 60 is driven by a sprocketwheel 160 which is fixed to the shaft 156. The links of the chain maycarry angle plates 161 (FIG. 16) each having a leg 162 which extendsparallel to the associated chain link and another leg 163 which carriesthe pin 59. The respective angle plates are guided along the upper reachof the belt by a table 164, and by an angle bar 165, which are fixed tothe frame, and thereby provide a passageway between which the pincarrying legs 163 are moved as the chain is operated. There is alsoshown in FIGS. 6 and 16 a pair of guide bars 166 Which are fixed to theframe and extend along and above the upper reaches of the endless chain60. They act as a guide to dampen any tendency of the chain to fly offthe driving sprocket and guiding sprockets.

One of the features of the present invention is the use of a widthwiseguiding and adjustment for the web immediately preceding the entry of itinto the printing couple. Such guiding is accomplished in the apparatusillustrated in FIG. 13 by collars 176 and 171 between which the webpasses as it leaves the upper end of the festoon. The collars aremounted for adjustment, either toward or from each other, so as toaccommodate webs of different Widths, and also for movement together asa unit with reference to the frame, so as to shift the position of a weband adjust it to suit operating conditions. To accomplish this purpose,the collar is shown as being slidably mounted upon the tube 33, one end173 of which extends into an opening-174, in the rear frame plate 24 ofthe printing unit frame. The other end of the tube extends through anopening 175 in the front frame plate 23, and also through an extensionof the opening in a block 176 affixed to thefront face of the frame. Thetube extends beyond the block and has slidably mounted therein a bar 177which terminates inside the tube, as designated at 173. The outer end ofthe bar is provided with a knob 179. The tube 33 may be locked to theframe, as by means of a wing bolt 180, While the bar 177 may be lockedto the tube by means of a Wing bolt 181. With such arrangement, the barmay be adjusted and locked in position with reference to the tube, whilethe tube may be adjusted and locked in position with reference to theframe. Additionally, the tube and bar may be rotated as a unit and thenlocked in any desired position with respect to the frame.

To facilitate a quick adjustment widthwise between the collars 170 and171, the tube 33 may be provided with a slot 182 through which a wingbolt 183 extends. That portion of the bar 177 beneath the slot isprovided with spaced threaded openings 184 into which the wing bolt 133may be threaded for locking the collar 171 to the bar. The bar 32 (FIG.17) has one end thereof rigidly connected to the collar 170, and has theother end thereof slidably extendable through an opening in the collar171, the latter of which may be detachably connected to the tube 33, asby a set screw 185. Thus, the collar 171 may be positioned in any of theopenings 184 for quick setting and then adjusted minutely by movement ofthe bar 177 axially with respect to the tube 33.

In addition to the tension or drag which may be exerted upon the web bythe brush 34, I may utilize the bar 32, as shown in FIG. 17. Since thebar 32 is carried by the collars 170 and 171, and since the collars as aunit may be turned about the axis of the tube, then the position of thebar 32 may be varied angularly with respect to the axis of the tube, soas to adjust the tension on the Web in accordance with the requirementsin use. Thus, a web of relatively heavy paper would require a differentposition of the bar 32 than would be the case with a web of relativelight paper. Moreover, such adjustment can be made quickly While the webis in motion, so as to maintain optimum printing conditions on thesurface of the web. One position of the bar 32 is shown in FIG. 17 infull lines, while another position is shown in dotted lines at 32a.Thus, when the web A-3 is passing around the solid line position of thebar 32, there is a greater area of contact between the paper and thetube 33, thus placing greater tension on the web, than would be the casewhere the bar is in the position indicated at 32a.

In FIG. 14 I have shown a plan view of a multi-web assembly, wherein thewebs are indicated at A, B and D, while interleaved carbon webs areindicated at C and C-1. Lines of longitudinally extending holes areshown at and 191, cross perforations at 192, file holes at 193 and crimpinterlock at 194. It is to be understood that other operations may beperformed on the webs, such as numbering, stub removal perforation,adhesive connections and the like.

By performing a printing or other processing operation upon a web ofpaper as it is drawn into the printing couple, or processing unit, froma free falling festoon, and by applying a slight drag to the Web inadvance of its entry into the printing or processing unit, and byutilizing a pulling force on the web only after it has passed throughthe printing couple or processing unit, I have been able to overcome theproblems of variations in tension on the paper and to overcome theresulting loss of register. As applied to numbered forms, or to colorprinting, the advantages of the invention are readily apparent, becauseI have eliminated the necessity for complex sensing and automatictension control devices. Ad-

ditionally, I have eliminated the need for continuous adjustments to thetension and to the position of the supply roll, to compensate forvarying friction effects incident to the movement of the web over thevarious guides and Work performing cylinders. The importance ofmaintaining constant lengths and register, while enabling the press tooperate at any speed within its range of movement, is important to thoseskilled in the art, particularly to operators who depend upon theirskill and judgment in making manual adjustments constantly to thetension controls while the press is in operation. Thus, I have achievedoptimum conditions at the point of printing and greatly simplified thepress construction.

The terms and expressions which have been used herein are terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of thefeatures shown or described, or any portion thereof. It is the intentionto include various modifications which are possible within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of continuously printing multiple webs of material on arotary printing press comprising, feeding each web from a supply roll byexerting a pulling force thereon, allowing each web to fall into a slackfestoon between the feeding point and a printing unit, exerting a dragpressure on each web and guiding each web sideways immediately precedingthe entrance thereof into the printing unit, printing each web,directing all webs in superimposed condition to a punch havingcooperating male and female dies, and pulling all webs in superimposedcondition in a plane which is at a right angle to the axis of said dies.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the punching operation isperformed on all of the webs simultaneously after they have passedthrough their respective printing units.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the pulling force acting on theWebs is exerted against the walls of some of the holes formed by thepunching operation.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein each Web is subjected to aperforating operation before it has entered the printing unit to providea row of snapout perforations extending longitudinally of the web.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein each web is subjected to aperforating operation after the webs have passed through the printingunits, to provide a row of stub-removal perforations.

6. A method according to claim 3 wherein an additional operation isperformed on the webs after the punching operation and while the websare moving under control of the pulling force.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the additional operationcomprises a corss-perforation of the webs.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the additional operationcomprises a consecutive numbering at spaced intervals on at least one ofthe Webs.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein the additional operationcomprises the formation of file holes at spaced intervals on the webs.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the additional operationcomprises cutting off the webs at spaced intervals.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein a web of carbon paper isinterposed between adjacent Webs and is propelled simultaneously withthe adjacent webs by the same pulling force which operates to move thewebs through the printing unit.

12. An apparatus for continuously printing multiple webs of materialcomprising in combination, supply rolls for the multiple webs, means forfeeding each web from its supply roll, means for forming a festoon ineach web beyond the feed means, means exerting a predetermined dragpressure upon each web at the discharge end of each of said festoons, aplurality of rotary printing units, means for directing each web intoone of said printing units, a punch having male and female dies, meansfor directing said webs in superimposed position through said punch,endless elongated pin means for engaging the punched holes in said websfor pulling said webs in a plane at a right angle to the axis of saiddies, when the dies are in axial alignment, and power means foractuating each of said means in timed relationship.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each printing unit ispositioned between the drag exerting means and the punch.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the means for directing eachweb into one of the printing units comprises members which engage theside edges of each web and are positioned between the point ofapplication of drag pressure and the point at which the printingoperation is performed.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the punch comprises rotarymembers having the coacting male and female dies thereon, and whereinthe means for pulling the webs comprises an endless belt having spacedpins thereon which engage some of the punched holes in the webs andwhich operate thereby to pull the webs with a constant tension.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein two punches are provided andoperate to form two rows of holes in the webs, one row being parallel toand adjacent one longitudinal edge of the webs and the other row beingparallel to and adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the webs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,687,090 Carroll Aug. 24, 1954 2,868,540 Herr Ian. 13, 1959 2,999,456Lanegan Sept. 12, 1961 3,069,155 Fulk Dec. 18, 1962

1. A METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY PRINTING MULTIPLE WEBS OF MATERIAL ON AROTARY PRINTING PRESS COMPRISING, FEEDING EACH WEB FROM A SUPPLY ROLL BYEXERTING A PULLING FORCE THEREON, ALLOWING EACH WEB TO FALL INTO A SLACKFESTOON BETWEEN THE FEEDING POINT AND A PRINTING UNIT, EXERTING A DRAGPRESSURE ON EACH WEB AND GUIDING EACH WEB SIDEWAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDINGTHE ENTRANCE THEREOF INTO THE PRINTING UNIT, PRINTING EACH WEB,DIRECTING ALL WEBS IN SUPERIMPOSED CONDITION TO A PUNCH HAVINGCOOPERATING MALE AND FEMALE DIES, AND PULLING ALL WEBS IN SUPERIMPOSEDCONDITION IN A PLANE WHICH IS AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE AXIS OF SAID DIES.12. AN APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRINTING MULTIPLE WEBS OF MATERIALCOMPRISING IN COMBINATION, SUPPLY ROLLS FOR THE MULTIPLE WEBS, MEANS FORFEEDING EACH WEB FROM ITS SUPPLY ROLL, MEANS FOR FORMING A FESTOON INEACH WEB BEYOND THE FEED MEANS, MEANS EXERTING A PREDETERMINED DRAGPRESSURE UPON EACH WEB AT THE DISCHARGE END OF EACH OF SAID FESTOONS, APLURALITY OF ROTARY PRINTING UNITS, MEANS FOR DIRECTING EACH WEB INTOONE OF SAID PRINTING UNITS, A PUNCH HAVING MALE AND FEMALE DIES, MEANSFOR DIRECTING SAID WEBS IN SUPERIMPOSED POSITION THROUGH SAID PUNCH,ENDLESS ELONGATED PIN MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE PUNCHED HOLES IN SAID WEBSFOR PULLING SAID WEBS IN A PLANE AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE AXIS OF SAIDDIES, WHEN THE DIES ARE IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT, AND POWER MEANS FORACTUATING EACH OF SAID MEANS IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP.